Vehicle theft patterns can look very different from one part of the United States to another. The National Insurance Crime Bureau’s Hot Wheels reports have repeatedly shown that geography, vehicle age, popularity, and parts availability can influence which vehicles appear most frequently in theft records.
The West and Southeast provide useful contrasts. NICB’s publicly available regional material specifically identifies the West as Arizona, California, Hawaii, and Nevada, while its public theft information also provides state-level data for Southeast states.
The figures below are based on NICB Hot Wheels reporting and related state-level records, with model years included because older versions of popular vehicles frequently dominate theft statistics.
5 Vehicles Stolen Most in the Southeast
The Southeast has historically produced a strong mix of full-size pickups, popular Japanese sedans, and widely sold family vehicles in NICB theft data. Florida provides one of the clearest publicly documented examples.
According to NICB’s 2020 data, Ford’s full-size pickup ranked as the most frequently stolen vehicle in Florida, followed by the Nissan Altima, Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, and Toyota Corolla. These five models highlight an important point about vehicle theft statistics. A vehicle that is frequently stolen is not necessarily one that is easy for thieves to take.
High sales volumes, extensive parts availability, and large numbers of vehicles on the road can all increase the number of theft reports.
The NICB 2020 national report recorded 44,014 stolen Ford full-size pickups, 40,968 Chevrolet full-size pickups, 34,144 Honda Civics, and 30,814 Honda Accords nationwide. The organization also noted that vehicle thefts increased substantially during 2020.
For this Southeast section, the rankings are based on Florida’s published 2020 NICB state-level Hot Wheels results, because NICB’s public 2020 regional page does not publish a single five-vehicle aggregate for the entire Southeast.
That distinction matters. The vehicles below should therefore be read as a Southeast reference based on Florida’s official state data, not as a fabricated regional aggregate.
1. Ford Full-Size Pickup
Full-size Ford pickups were the leading theft target in Florida in the 2020 NICB state-level data, with the 2006 model year identified as the most commonly stolen version. The national Hot Wheels report also placed Ford’s full-size pickup at number one, recording 44,014 thefts across the country in 2020.
There is a practical reason this vehicle repeatedly appears in theft statistics. Ford’s full-size pickup line has historically had an enormous population on American roads, meaning there are many potential targets in circulation.
A vehicle that sells in large numbers also creates a substantial market for replacement components, which can make stolen examples valuable for parts.
The 2006 model year is particularly noteworthy because it represents an older generation with fewer of the modern electronic security systems found on newer trucks. That does not mean every 2006 truck can be easily stolen, but its age places it in a different security environment from a modern pickup.
Florida’s climate and large population also create a substantial pool of trucks used for work, towing, and everyday transportation. More vehicles in circulation naturally provide more opportunities for theft.
For owners, the NICB data demonstrates why basic security remains important even when a vehicle is older. NICB recommends removing keys, locking doors and windows, using warning devices, considering immobilizing systems, and adding tracking capability.
The Ford pickup’s position is therefore not simply a story about one vulnerable model year. It reflects the combination of an enormous vehicle population, an older frequently targeted configuration, and sustained demand for full-size truck components.
2. Nissan Altima
The Nissan Altima ranked second in Florida’s 2020 state-level theft list, with the 2020 model year identified as the most commonly stolen version in the available NICB data. That placement is notable because the Altima also ranked sixth nationally in the 2020 Hot Wheels report, with 14,668 thefts recorded across the United States.
Unlike the older Ford pickup at the top of Florida’s list, the Altima’s commonly stolen model year was much newer. That provides an interesting contrast within the same state. Theft risk is not limited to older vehicles, even though older vehicles frequently dominate national rankings.
The Altima’s widespread presence on American roads is an important part of the explanation. It has been one of Nissan’s long-running mainstream sedans, giving thieves access to a large population of potential targets. Popular vehicles can also have established secondary markets for components.
The 2020 model year appeared during the sixth-generation Altima’s production run. By then, the sedan had modern electronic systems and security equipment, but its inclusion in the theft data demonstrates that newer technology does not eliminate theft.
For a used Altima owner, the lesson is less about assuming the vehicle is inherently vulnerable and more about recognizing that popularity can create unwanted attention. Parking location, key management, and additional security measures can make a difference.
NICB recommends using four layers of protection to reduce the risk of vehicle theft. These include basic precautions, visible warning devices, immobilizing systems, and vehicle tracking technology.
The Altima’s Florida ranking also shows why national theft lists can tell only part of the story. A vehicle that ranks sixth nationally can become a much more prominent target within a particular state.
3. Honda Accord
The Honda Accord occupied third place in Florida’s 2020 list, with the 2018 model year identified as the most commonly stolen Accord in the state’s data. The Accord was also fourth nationally, with 30,814 thefts reported across all model years in the 2020 NICB Hot Wheels report.
The Accord has a particularly long history of appearing in theft statistics. Its popularity means millions of examples have been sold in the United States over multiple generations, creating a large pool of vehicles and replacement parts.
Florida’s 2018 model-year figure is especially interesting because it differs from the national result. NICB identified the 1997 Accord as the most commonly stolen model year nationally in 2020. That difference illustrates why local theft patterns cannot simply be copied from the national table.
A newer 2018 Accord also has substantially different security technology from a 1990s model. Yet the vehicle’s presence on the Florida list demonstrates that thieves can target relatively modern vehicles when there is sufficient opportunity or demand.
The Accord’s broad popularity may also contribute to its repeated appearance. A vehicle that is common on the road is easier for thieves to locate than an unusual model with a small population.
Owners should therefore avoid interpreting anti-theft technology as a guarantee against theft. Locking the vehicle, keeping keys and fobs secure, parking in controlled locations, and considering additional tracking or immobilizing equipment can add layers of protection.
The Accord’s ranking in Florida also highlights an important limitation of NICB data. The statistics show which vehicles were reported stolen, but they do not indicate that those vehicles are inherently defective or unable to resist theft.
4. Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry ranked fourth in Florida’s 2020 Hot Wheels list, with the 2020 model year identified as the most frequently stolen Camry in the state’s data. Nationally, the Camry ranked fifth, recording 16,915 thefts across all model years.
The Camry’s appearance is unsurprising when viewed through the lens of vehicle population. Toyota has sold large numbers of Camrys in the United States for decades, giving the model an enormous installed base.
There is another useful detail in the national statistics. NICB identified the 2019 Camry as the most commonly stolen Camry nationwide in 2020, while Florida’s state-level data identified the 2020 version. The difference shows how regional demand can shift the model-year profile even when the same nameplate appears in both lists.
The Camry is also a mainstream family sedan rather than a specialized vehicle. Its broad use means parts and vehicles are familiar to repair businesses and consumers, while its large production numbers provide plenty of examples from which thieves can choose.
That does not mean every Camry is equally vulnerable. Vehicle condition, security equipment, parking location, and the specific generation all matter.
For owners, the most useful response is layered protection. NICB recommends common-sense measures first, followed by warning devices, immobilizing technology, and tracking systems.
The Camry’s fourth-place position in Florida demonstrates how a vehicle with a reputation for everyday practicality can also become a significant theft target simply because so many examples are present.
5. Toyota Corolla
The Toyota Corolla completed Florida’s 2020 top five, with the 2020 model year listed as the most commonly stolen Corolla. The model also ranked eighth nationally in NICB’s 2020 report, with 12,515 thefts recorded.
The Corolla’s inclusion follows a familiar pattern. It has been one of the world’s most widely produced passenger cars, and its enormous population in the United States gives thieves a large pool of potential targets.
The fact that Florida’s most frequently stolen Corolla was a 2020 model is also significant. Older vehicles often dominate theft statistics because their security systems are less sophisticated, but the Corolla data shows that late-model vehicles can still appear prominently in state-level theft records.
Popularity is again an important factor. When a vehicle is common, replacement parts are generally easier to identify and resell, while the vehicle itself is less conspicuous than a rare performance or luxury model.
The Corolla’s fourth-place national position in 2020 also demonstrates that its Florida ranking was not an isolated local anomaly. It was already among the country’s ten most frequently stolen vehicles that year.
Owners should therefore treat basic security as a routine part of ownership rather than something reserved for expensive vehicles. Keeping the key or fob with you, locking the vehicle, and parking in secure or well-lit areas are simple first steps.
The Corolla’s place on the list ultimately reflects a combination of popularity, availability, and theft opportunity rather than a conclusion that every Corolla has inadequate security.
5 Vehicles Stolen Most in the West
The West presents a noticeably different pattern in NICB’s regional Hot Wheels reporting. NICB’s 2020 West Region consisted of Arizona, California, Hawaii, and Nevada, and the organization reported that the 2000 Honda Civic and 1997 Honda Accord were the two vehicles most likely to be stolen across the region. NICB also stated that makes and models stolen in California filled the top ten West Region positions.
The regional material is more limited than the national report. NICB’s public 2020 West Region page identifies the top two in its written text and presents additional regional information in an infographic rather than publishing a complete numerical five-vehicle table in the article text.
For that reason, the five vehicles below are drawn from the published NICB West regional state tables, using the vehicles that recur most frequently across Arizona, California, Hawaii, and Nevada. This is different from claiming that NICB published a five-position aggregate ranking.
NICB’s 2019 West Region report provides the clearest text-based state-by-state comparison. It lists the top five stolen vehicles for each of those four states by the model year most likely to be stolen. Several vehicles appear repeatedly across multiple states, creating a useful picture of the regional pattern.
1. Honda Civic
The Honda Civic is central to the West’s theft history. NICB’s 2020 West Region report specifically identifies the 2000 Honda Civic as one of the two vehicles most likely to be stolen across Arizona, California, Hawaii, and Nevada.
The previous year’s regional table tells an even broader story. In 2019, a 2000 Honda Civic appeared among Arizona’s top five, California’s top five, and Hawaii’s top five. Nevada’s list included a 1998 Honda Civic, meaning the Civic nameplate appeared in the top five of all four West Region states when model-year differences are considered.
That consistency makes the Civic one of the clearest regional theft patterns in NICB’s published West data.
Older Civics are especially notable because the commonly targeted model years date from an era when vehicle security technology was less sophisticated than today’s systems. The 2000 model is more than two decades old, making its security architecture very different from that of a modern Civic.
The Civic’s popularity also matters. Large numbers were sold, meaning parts are plentiful and the vehicles are familiar throughout the repair and used-parts markets.
For Western owners of older Civics, additional security can therefore be worthwhile. NICB recommends layered protection, including warning devices, immobilizing equipment, and tracking technology.
The Civic’s repeated appearance across the West is not evidence that every Civic is easy to steal. It demonstrates that a combination of age, popularity, and regional vehicle population has made particular generations persistent theft targets.
2. Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is the second major name in the West Region’s theft pattern. NICB’s 2020 regional report identifies the 1997 Honda Accord alongside the 2000 Civic as the two vehicles most likely to be stolen in Arizona, California, Hawaii, and Nevada.
The 2019 West Region table shows just how widespread the Accord was. It appeared among the top five in Arizona, California, Hawaii, and Nevada. The model year most frequently identified varied little, with the 1997 Accord appearing in each of those state lists.
This is a particularly strong example of an older vehicle becoming a recurring theft target across an entire region.
The age of the commonly targeted Accord is important. A 1997 vehicle was produced long before the sophisticated immobilizer, connected-car, and smartphone-based security systems now common in newer vehicles. That does not mean every older Accord can be stolen easily, but its original security technology is no match for the layers available on newer vehicles.
The Accord also shares the Civic’s enormous parts and vehicle population. A thief looking for a common model has a much larger pool of potential targets than someone searching for a rare vehicle.
Owners of older Accords should therefore consider additional physical and electronic protection rather than relying only on the factory equipment.
NICB’s recommendations include locking the vehicle, removing keys, using visible warning devices, adding immobilizing systems, and considering tracking technology.
The Accord’s repeated West Region appearance makes it one of the strongest examples of how an older, extremely common vehicle can remain prominent in theft statistics decades after it was built.
3. Ford Full-Size Pickup
Ford’s full-size pickup is another recurring name in the West Region’s state-level Hot Wheels tables. In the 2019 NICB West Region data, the full-size Ford pickup appeared among the top five stolen vehicles in Arizona, California, Hawaii, and Nevada. The most frequently identified model year was generally 2006.
That consistency is noteworthy because the West is not a single market. Arizona’s vehicle mix can differ substantially from California’s, while Hawaii has its own transportation environment and Nevada includes a major urban tourism center in Las Vegas. Yet the full-size Ford pickup repeatedly appeared across all four states.
The national 2020 data reinforces the importance of the nameplate. Ford’s full-size pickup was America’s most stolen vehicle that year, with 44,014 thefts. NICB identified 2006 as the model year most frequently stolen nationally.
The reasons for the truck’s popularity are multifaceted. Full-size pickups are sold in very large numbers, and their components have established value. Older examples also lack many of the electronic protections introduced in later generations.
For owners in the West, location matters as much as vehicle type. A pickup left unattended in an unsecured area presents a different theft opportunity from one parked inside a locked garage or monitored facility.
The Ford pickup’s regional appearance therefore reflects both its enormous American vehicle population and the continued presence of older trucks that remain attractive targets.
4. Chevrolet Full-Size Pickup
Chevrolet’s full-size pickup also appears repeatedly in NICB’s West Region data. The 2019 regional table places it among the top five stolen vehicles in Arizona, California, and Nevada. California’s list identified a 2001 Chevrolet full-size pickup, while Arizona and Nevada identified 2004 versions.
That spread across three of the four Western states makes the Chevrolet pickup a significant regional theft target, even though the exact model year varied by state.
The national data provides additional context. Chevrolet’s full-size pickup ranked second nationally in 2020, with 40,968 thefts. NICB reported that thefts of the Chevrolet full-size pickup increased 25.7 percent from 2019 to 2020, one of the largest increases among the ten nationally most stolen vehicles.
Older Chevrolet pickups can attract attention because of their age and the widespread availability of compatible components. A high-volume truck also has an extensive parts ecosystem, which can create demand for components from both legitimate and illegitimate sources.
For owners, that means security should extend beyond the ignition. Parking location, physical barriers, tracking equipment, and visible anti-theft devices can all add layers of protection.
The model’s repeated appearance across West states does not establish that every Chevrolet pickup is equally vulnerable. The year, configuration, condition, and security equipment can make a substantial difference.
Its presence in the regional data instead highlights the enduring theft interest surrounding older, highly common full-size pickups.
5. Dodge Full-Size Pickup
The Dodge full-size pickup rounds out the West Region group because it appears among the top five vehicles in multiple state-level NICB lists. In 2019, Arizona’s list included a 2001 Dodge full-size pickup, while Nevada’s list included a 2004 Dodge full-size pickup.
Although the Dodge pickup was less widely represented in the region than the Civic or Accord, it reflects another recurring trend in vehicle theft data. Older full-size trucks can continue to attract thieves many years after they were originally sold.
The national 2020 Hot Wheels report placed Dodge’s full-size pickup at number ten, recording 11,991 thefts. NICB identified the 2001 model year as the most commonly stolen version nationally.
The age of the commonly targeted model is again significant. A 2001 pickup belongs to an era when security technology was considerably less sophisticated than the systems found on current trucks. Older vehicles can therefore require owners to take additional precautions rather than assuming modern theft resistance.
Parts availability is another consideration. A popular truck can remain useful long after production ends, creating an active market for replacement components.
For owners of older Dodge pickups in Western states, basic precautions remain important. NICB recommends removing keys, locking doors and windows, considering warning devices and immobilizing systems, and using tracking technology when appropriate.
The Dodge pickup’s appearance in multiple Western state lists completes a pattern dominated by older, widely distributed vehicles.
